1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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But the king said despite the fundamental disagreement between the countries, the United States inherited its democratic values from the United Kingdom.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Yet in the past, many of us still looked with a certain envy at the strength of the country’s institutions, the independence of its media, and the willingness of its citizens to engage in democratic life.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The following year, the City Council called for an independent commission to advise on overhauling the city’s criminal-justice system; it was chaired by Jonathan Lippman, a former chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and Richards became a member.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Luckily these pests can be controlled with a natural spray of spinosad found in Bonide, Fertilome and Southern Ag brands of insecticides usually offered for caterpillar control at independent garden centers.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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The investment comes during a time when demand for autonomous drones is at an all-time high.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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The difference in the versions is that while the V1 requires the pilot to manually adjust the speed and altitude to lock onto a target, the V2 has autonomous targeting software to close in on a target that is approved by the pilot.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund's performance since the Iran war began is not publicly available information, but any returns would build on the near $250 billion profit NBIM made in 2025.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
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The $24 billion expected from the sovereign wealth funds — representing the royal families of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar — would together represent about 49% of the equity in the new company.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Retailers also posted their highest volume of monthly job openings since 2023 in March, a separate report of preliminary government data found.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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With separate compartments for morning, noon, evening, and bedtime, the Auvon Weekly Pill Organizer keeps everything—well—organized.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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